Valu Food Supermarket's history dates to 1959, when Mr. Denrich's father, Stephen, a Polish immigrant and concentration camp survivor, opened Steve's Market at the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and Baker Street in northeast Baltimore. Five years later, the business reopened as Civic Food Center in a larger facility at Paca and Lexington streets.

Louis Denrich joined his father's business in 1975, and became owner and president of his own store, the first Valu Food.

The company has remained a family business. Today, Mr. Denrich's brother, Stuart, is vice president of data processing and his sister, Dina Denrich Carmel, is vice president of finance.

Mr. Denrich said he anticipates opening two or three more stores in 1995 and hopes to expand in Harford County. "Harford County is rapidly growing, and we want to be part of that growth," he said.